Prioritizing THT over Caruso really confuses me. It’s a win-later move on a team with 33- and 36-year-old stars. Caruso fits better with those stars than THT does. If his shot develops that changes, but that’s an enormous bet to make on a 20-year-old in a title or bust year.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) August 2, 2021
Prioritizing THT over Caruso really confuses me
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August 2, 2021 3 Comments
Alex more important to winning now than THT.
He’s not taking into the account that THT is just much more difficult to trade. The minute THT signs an offer sheet, the Lakers can match but they can’t trade him until December. They also can’t wow him with money because there is a limit to what they can sign him for and because of the Arenas rule there is a limit other teams can sign him for. Plus even if he signed for a max of around 10 mil Lakers can only receive 5.5 mil in contracts back per Picus. So that really changes the quality of player the Lakers can bring back. If you are getting back someone in that price range you might as well keep him.
There’s also the Klutch factor but to me it’s the win now part and the need for shooting and luxury tax issues that tell me that the Lakers may end up trying to trade him